25 years ago today, on 29th September 1997 I started my first beauty and massage therapy job after becoming qualified as a beauty and holistic therapist at collage for 2 years. My first job since qualifying was my dream job at the only Ladies Spa at "The Sanctuary; in London's Covent Garden
I worked here full time for 2 years pampering women from all walks of life. I also treated my first American Hollywood A-lister and Oscar winning client and many other celebrities, such as the Spice girls and some national treasures from TV.
I loved every minute of working at the Sanctuary.
Sadly it is no more, as it closed it doors for the last time in May 2014 after 37 years in Business. I had the best time there and met my best friends who I'm still really close to.
But from there I worked in other prestigious Spas, health clubs and salons in Kensington, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill and many others for the next 3 years working on celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, many super models and professional well known pop singers as well as many others. I then took the leap and trained and worked for Steiner on the Splender-of-the-Sea's - Royal Caribbean Cruise ship for 10 months travelling Europe, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay as a Facialist and Body specialist therapist working for Steiner.
This is where I got a bigger taste for travelling as I got to see the majority of Europe, the Middle east and South America, which I loved.
From the ships I wanted to travel much more, so I joined an agency and got myself a dream job working for the Saudi Royal family in Al Khobar in Saudi-Arabia living and working for the crowned prince and princess at there luxury 5 star residence and spa for 2 years.
I got to treat princesses all day and the princes every now and then to massages, specialised facials and body treatments, as well as a make-up artist for fashion shows. I also got the opportunity to travel to Egypt, Riyadh, Bahrain, Jeddah and Kuwait while I was there. It was another life and an experience I will never forget...
I had the opportunity to work in Hong Kong, Barbados or the Seychelles, but I decided I wanted to become a teacher and train to become a beauty and massage trainer. So I went back to collage and got my treaching training qualification to become a teacher and trainer.
My first job as a teacher trainer came up for me to work at "Ananda in the Himalayas" which is set in the foot hills of the Himalayas in India. Which is in the Narendra nagar region of India.
I was working as a teacher trainer with the Spa Manager to help to teach and train young beauty and massage therapists western style type treatments as they where all north and south Indian therapists treating western guests from around the world. It was a 5+ star spa and resort based in a Maharajahs palace. It was beautiful. I spent 8 wonderful months here, studying Yoga and Ayurveda in return for my training and teaching services. I learn't my Yoga by my two yoga teachers in Rishikesh on the Ganges - which is the spiritual home of Yoga. And became qualified in Therapeutic treatments of Ayurveda.
It was also the place where I met my lovely husband Ravi who was working as Manager of the food and beverage in the restaurants in Ananda at the time I was there.
We met and fell in love and as they say the rest is history...
Since then I came back home, continued my holistic training and teaching back in the UK, worked in London for Elemis Flagship Day Spa for 2 years in London's Bond street and Mayfair and expanded my spiritual and holistic therapies with lots of ongoing training in different modalities, and eventually Ravi came to the UK and I moved away from London and moved to Henley-on-Thames and got a job as a full time Senior Spa Therapist at 'Danesfield Spa' in Marlow.
Then 2 years later I decided to take the leap and start my own business all by myself and I set up 'Kelly's Holistic Therapies' which I started 15 years ago in 2007... Fast forward to now, I couldn't be more proud of the journey that I have been on since I started my career over 25 years ago. Coming from a small village to being able to work and travel around the world, and to have met so many wonderful people and to treat so many people from all walks of life over my 25 years in the business.
I've really seen the industry change so much over the years and I have always kept up to date with my regular training and whats new. I also visit my teachers in India and in Bali on my own spiritual development and learnings.
That is why I am so passionate about what I do, it isn't just a job for me, it is my vocation in life and it always will be. It's apart of me and my personal growth and dedication to what I do each day and to my health and wellbeing. That is why I love to share my 25 years of experience and knowledge through my therapies that I offer, many have been an evolutionary journey for me and I always love to share my knowledge and wisdom that has been passed down from my teachers, trainers and guides through this path I have taken.
I hope that I have many more years within me to continue to learn, grow, develop and to continue to do what I do each day and to provide a service where I can encapsulate all that I have to offer.
I look forward to continuing this journey and sharing with you my therapies and my therapy space where you can take time out, relax, rest and restore.
If you would like to book a treatment or service that I offer please email me at pureblisretreats@mail.com
Thank you.
Namaste
Kelly
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Email Kelly at: pureblissretreats@mail.com